Magic and Mortality (DISCONTINUED)

Chap. 4 - Suspision

KEY = Subtitle/POV change | Author's note |"Speech" | 'Quote/Thoughts' | Text | Emphasis

I woke on the couch in front of the fireplace in the cottage. I tried to sit up, yelping as a flash of excruciating pain flew down my legs. My vision clouded as I lowered myself down onto the threadbare cushions. Or, at least, they should be threadbare. My vision clears enough so I can see the familiar face I saw before I'd fainted. 

"Aelfric?" The face grinned.

"You're alright," he sighed in relief. "Marcus! Belinda's awake!" 

Aelfric's face is soon joined by my father's, who pats my head gently. "Careful there, kiddo. You frightened us. As it is, you won't be able to help with any chores for a few days. You seem to have had a big fall, your legs are all bashed. No broken bones, thank fae." My father rarely used the phrase 'thank fae', wanting to be independent compared to the humans who relied on the magical race for provision.

"What happened?" I asked, too woozy to remember anything. 

"You fell down the side of the mountain. Aelfric was on his way through the mountain pass when he heard a scream and found you. He brought you back here and used... what was it you used, Aelfric?" my father explained.

"Just some elvish magic medicinal things. Not too fancy," Aelfric replied.

"Anything that's saved my Bel's life is amazing." 

AELFRIC'S POV

Marcus continued to fuss over Belinda. I stood near the table awkwardly, not knowing what I should be doing.  It wasn't until Marcus had left to make dinner that Belinda looked over in my direction.

"Thanks, Aelfric. Who knows what would've happened to me if you hadn't been there." Belinda smiled, then winced. "This sure hurts like heck though," she said through gritted teeth.

A sudden cloud of sympathy surrounds me. I wish I could take her pain, however only dark magic could aid such a task, a dark magic that hasn't been harnessed in centuries. "Hopefully it will heal quickly."

I sat down as another wave of silence filled the room. I was glad she was safe but had nothing to say. It seemed as if it would be silent until dinner when I heard Belinda clear her throat.

"Why were you going through the mountain pass?"

I stiffened, ill at ease with the question. "What do you mean?" I inwardly groaned as I realized my grave mistake. Why would I underestimate a human? I usually wouldn't, although some elves would, and do daily. I don't though, right? Well, seems like I just have. Of course, Belinda would think something is off.

"Like, you had said you were passing through town because of a disturbance down south, however, there are more direct routes than the mountain pass. It's almost due west!" Belinda's eyebrow furrowed in concentration. 

"I, uh..." Thankfully, a clutter rises from the kitchen, followed by a small yelp. Relieved, I stand up. "Sorry, I'm just going to quickly see if everything is alright over there." I walk out of the room, chuckling at Belinda's barely-heard words. 

"I don't know how Father could survive without someone else."